Cotton ball sensory tray
Grab some cotton balls and a few kitchen tools for a low-fuss yet engaging sensory tray
A no-mess sensory option that’s perfect when you want something quick to set up but still deeply engaging.
All you need are cotton balls (or pom poms) and a few utensils from the kitchen drawer - think muffin trays, tongs, spoons, scoops and whisks. Little ones can spend ages filling containers, stuffing cotton balls into whisks, and transferring them from place to place.
It’s soft, quiet, calming, and surprisingly captivating. A great activity for rainy afternoons, independent play, or...
Materials
Prep
Step 1:
Fill a shallow tray or tub with cotton balls.
Step 2:
Add a few kitchen tools and containers around the edge.
Step 3:
Place it on the floor or low table for easy access.
Step 4:
Optionally, colour the balls first with some food dye and let them dry out.
Play
Step 1:
Invite your child to explore the cotton balls freely.
Step 2:
Show how to stuff them into a whisk - this is oddly satisfying and great for fine motor practice.
Step 3:
Encourage scooping, transferring, and sorting into muffin tins or bowls.
Step 4:
Let them lead the play - some might sort by colour (if using coloured balls or pom poms), others might make pretend cupcakes!
Extend
Muffin shop play: Add cupcake liners and pretend it’s a bakery. Use spoons to 'fill' them and offer pretend tasting.
Colour sort: Use a mix of coloured cotton balls (or dye some with food colouring and let them dry first) for sorting and patterning.
Add friends: Throw in a few small animal toys or dolls - they might want a soft bed or fluffy treat!
